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I had a bit of a change of heart about Wynton, his outlook, and his music. In truth, his music has always been impressive, whether it's the traditional jazz or his trips into classical works. I never had problems with his music. But his views... I mean, if there was a jazz equivalent of The Lesson, I'm sure all of us could call out a person or two as being the Wynton of this place. There's a bit of bravado, attitude, elitism, and yes, a self-proclaimed gatekeeper, a responsibility that he arguably placed on himself but is also unneeded.
However, this book had him talking about his approach to his music and outlook on jazz, and that elitism isn't directly explained, but is said in so many words to where he makes a point. He simply wants to play what was passed on to him, and through his observations, he will continue on the path he created for himself. Yes, any and all musicians are competitive, for themselves, for one another, or for the power of music, but there is that common cause, the fight for the right to simply play. I think if you keep it to that, Wynton is an alright guy.
His views on hip-hop is not unlike those we may have heard from our elders, be it parents or grandparents. He is an elder, and as someone who isn't a fan of the music, he will never get it, nor does he want to. I tend to like Branford's playing more because, while I like the trumpet, I've always had a fascination with the sax, and managed to play it back in intermediate (middle) school before I gave it up. But that's my tastes and opinions, just like Wynton.
Anyway, what I liked about this Wynton book is when he talked about performing, and when he heard a train in the distance, he played as if he was answering to it. Then he spoke of seeing a woman with a summer dress, moving with the air and breeze. He played as if he was the breeze, or the flowers on the dress. There's a bit of poetic justice there, that while not explained directly, it's meant to be "between the lines".
Plus, with all the time used to hate someone for their views, you could've spent using it to listen to his actual music. THE MAGIC HOUR album is a great LP. So is FROM THE PLANTATION TO THE PENITENTIARY. Or go back to that debut album or even MARSALIS STANDARD TIME VOL. 1. There's that same expression that Prince had on his first few albums. You may question him, but the answer is in his music. If the answer isn't there, then don't fuck with him. Plain and simple.
As far as Miles being the gatekeeper, that's another level. But he had the attitude from day 1, all the way to the end. I will always remember that interview he did where a journalist (a lady) asked him about his playing. He told her to place her finger on her lips. Then he approached her mouth as if it was a trumpet. Boom.
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